Teflon
Regulars-
Posts
2 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Everything posted by Teflon
-
The Paradox of Choice (Too much choice?)
Teflon replied to D'kian's topic in Metaphysics and Epistemology
I don't know if anyone has mentioned this yet but this question has a very interesting connection to Ayn Rand. I had to Google a few keywords to find the actual story, which I remembered involved Ayn Rand's sister and toothpaste. The story is recounted on this blog: http://flyunderthebridge.blogspot.com/2005/06/facts-are-wrong-analysis-is-silly.html Here is the relevant text: That does seem paradoxical! -
Your example includes a type of category error related to your use of the word "negative". You cannot prove a negative in the metaphysical sense if the domain of existence is beyond your perceptual means. For example, it is clearly not possible to prove that Darth Vader does not exist in a galaxy far, far away without having simultaneous knowledge of every far, far away galaxy in existence. Thus, you cannot prove the negative existence of something that could arbitrarily exist anywhere in the universe. On the other hand, you can evaluate the truthfulness of the statement "x is immoral" because the word "negative" when used in this context does not relate to negative existence but rather to negation of the good (i.e., something is bad or evil, the opposite of good). The evidence to support or refute such a claim can be ascertained because the standard of morality is man's life on Earth. This is an area of research that should be accessible to anyone who understands the consequences of "x" within the context of one's own moral code of values. That's my take on it.